Foreign Firefighters Respond to California

The Story and Commentary:
by Lou Angeli

The story from AP:
PARADISE, Calif. (July 12, 2008)- As hundreds of blazes continue to char California, additional National Guard troops and overseas crews are being called in to assist exhausted firefighters.

Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger on Friday ordered 2,000 more National Guard troops to join the 400 already on firefighting duty. Australia, Canada, Greece, Mexico and New Zealand are also sending firefighters and equipment, federal officials said. Firefighters in Italy and France have also been placed on alert.

"We are stretched thin, and our firefighters are exhausted," Schwarzenegger said. "The fire season as we've known it is pretty much over. ... Now we have fire season all year round."

Federal officials said they would send more equipment and personnel to California. The federal government has committed $100 million and 80 percent of its firefighting resources to California, said Glen Cannon, an assistant administrator with the Federal Emergency Management Agency.

"We've put a significant amount of resources there, and we'll continue to add resources until we bring the fires under control," Cannon said.

Why Foreign Firefighters?

In a nation with one million firefighters, the question arises -- Why does California need foreign firefighting assistance? It's a good question but it can be explained quite easily..

Wildland firefights, like those in Central California, can be lengthy campaigns often lasting several weeks or a month. With all of California's available forces and 80% of all federal firefighters on the frontlines, it's time now for exhausted crews to be relieved. So why not send in reinforcements from the midwest and the East Coast?

If we were in the Control Truck, we'd learn that Commanders have already written-off 80% of available American firefighters, because they serve on a volunteer basis. As much as volunteers would like to be on the frontlines helping the folks in California, they have full time jobs and therefore a committment to their employers (and families) to show up for work.

The remaining career firefighters serve primarily in municipalities, and with the exception of an occasional brush fire, city crews see little wildland action. To them, fighting a wildland blaze is an alien tactic, far different than tackling a room and contents fire. Add to that the fact that many municipal departments are short-handed, the result of local governments stretching their resources thin by operating with less than minimum staffing. Sending just a dozen guys to the West Coast would leave a giant hole in their own local protection.

So why shuttle in firefighters from the other side of the world? Well, Australia and New Zealand are wilderness countries where "bush" or wildland fires are a part of everyday life. Firefighters down under know the drill all too well -- and are familiar with the dangers. If you need to bring in ringers -- these are the guys. And just two years ago, the Greek Fire Service was confronted with wildfires of epic proportions, as firefronts of 100 miles in length burned from one end of the country until they reached the waters of the Mediterranean.

As many have noted in recent weeks, California's wildfire season is no longer limited to late summer -- it's become a year-round concern. State and Federal Government have only two choices: Let the fires burn -- or beef up protection by converting what is essentially a seasonal emergency service to full time status. And in order to retain well-trained seasonal personnel, federal agencies like the USFS and BLM will need to ante up, paying their people on par with CalFire/CDF and municipal departments.

Gov. Schwarzenegger and administrators from CalFire and OES are keeping their fingers crossed, lighting candles to St. Florian and praying to the thunder gods that Southern California remains fire free. If a blaze like last year's SoCal firestorm were to whip up again in the next few weeks, the system would fall flat on its googles. Those familar air tankers would be replaced by F-15's, creating firebreaks with missles instead of water.

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Rescources
(1) Associated Press

Controlling Delaware's Volunteers

Delaware’s Volunteers Face Mandatory Audit

Wilmington, DE (July 10, 2008) – It was about this time last year that Governor Ruth Ann Miller ordered Delaware’s Volunteer Fire Companies to get their firehouses in order. Her demand came in the form of a voluntary audit to be conducted by the departments themselves.

The dispatch that the Governor was issuing at the time came in loud and clear. For the first time ever in the 300 year history of the Delaware volunteer fire service, companies were finally being held publicly accountable for the way they operated.

“This move by Minner…is big time gutsy on her part,” wrote the News Journal’s Ron Williams at the time the Governor issued Executive Order #99. Some believe that the Governor was uncomfortable with embezzlement cases involving Cranston Heights and Frederica fire companies, cases in which both treasurers were found guilty.

However what was once a request from Minner is now state law. Signed by the Governor on Wednesday, House Bill 329 requires that each of Delaware’s 60 volunteer fire departments undergo mandatory financial audits.

State Fire Prevention Commission vice chairman Bob Ricker told the News-Journal that the audits will help ensure that departments are spending their money wisely and create a means for the commission to oversee how funds are being appropriated and then make suggestions about the use of funds

Now comes the rub. Who will determine whether a department is spending money wisely – and what standard will they use?

In my mind, the practice of auditing fire departments will certainly help to reveal inconsistencies in spending, such as theft and embezzlement. But nearly every volunteer fire company is audited by a 3rd party agent, and not a single department has ever refused to open their books when asked.

There’s something more to this audit thing then meets the eye. If you ask me, HB329 is about control.

Although Mr. Ricker didn't come out and say it, HB 329 will place Delaware’s volunteers under the control of the State Fire Prevention Commission. And it won't be long before there is a correlation between annual grants-in-aid to volunteers and the Commission.

Here's one potential scenario. When it comes time to replace old Engine 222, the decision on the purchase of a new rig won’t go to the company floor. Instead it will go to the State Fire Prevention Commission who will have a list of approved vendors as well as a standardized spec. In short, companies will be told who will build their replacement, including pump capacity, size of the water tank, length of hose and how the truck is lettered.

State of Delaware
Department of Public Safety
Division of Fire Suppression
Engine-222
operated by Minquadale Fire Company

No offense to Minquadale -- you guys came to mind first.

Mots national experts agree that control of the fire-rescue services needs to remain with local authorities, and here in the First State that would be best served by a consortium of districts, or perhaps with the county in cooperation with the local companies. But until someone presents that idea to Chris Coons, look for manufacturers’ reps to increase visitation to the offices of the State Fire Prevention Commission.

It’s quite possible that in the future, Delaware’s firefighters will experience their own version of the Space Shuttle syndrome, responding to alarms aboard low-bid machines, wearing low-bid garments and entering burning buildings with tools that may not coincide with the department’s tactics.

A generation ago, Delaware boasted a volunteer fire service of 10,000 members, which represented a huge voting block. Firefighters could swing a local election in a heartbeat and in statewide elections they were a force to be reckoned with. But those numbers have dropped significantly over the past 25 years -- to 4,000 or so -- and many candidates need to be reminded of the contribution of Delaware's volunteers.

Big changes are looming for Delaware's volunteers, however with a few tweaks here and there, the current system can be revamped without much pain, and continue to work for another generation. But if the state intervenes now, as Mr. Ricker suggests, look for many volunteers to hang up their turnouts and helmets.
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Resources
(1) News-Journal Papers

California Is Burning...Again!

Federal Engines Sit Idle as Agencies Seek Additional Firefighters
by Lou Angeli

Big Sur, CA (July 8, 2008) -- With dry winds and low humidity in the forecast, the day doesn’t seem to be a promising one for firefighters working wildland blazes on California’s central coast. The Basin Complex Fire in the Los Padres National Forest has currently destroyed 74,985 acres and is only 11 percent contained. The Basin Complex fire was started by lightning and is burning away at one of the nation’s most beautiful destinations, Big Sur. Scenic Highway 1 remains closed and the towns of Big Sur and Carmel are threatened and evacuations are in place.

Not far south in the Los Padres, the Gap Fire has already taken 9,924 acres and although it is 30 percent contained, today's heat and low humidity may reverse the progress that firefighters had made. The Gap fire is located six miles northwest of Santa Barbara and is endangering communities, cultural and historical resources, like J. Paul Getty’s home. Evacuations are in order there as well.

The US Forest Service believes that Gap fire were intentionally set and has asked the general public for its help in investigating those blazes.

“The information the public provides could be crucial to our investigation into who is responsible," said Forest Service Special Agent Heather Campbell.

These high-profile fires at each end of Los Padres National Forest — in Monterey and Santa Barbara counties — are among 330 state blazes burning out of control statewide. So far, about 1,800 fires have burned over 600,000 acres of forests and woodlands and there is no relief in sight. Fires continue to burn statewide in what many predict will be California’s most damaging wildfire season in decades.

The nation's fire preparedness level on Sunday remained at Level 5, indicating firefighting resources are at their most strained.The idea of fighting so many fires simultaneously is mind-boggling, especially when you consider that stats for national, state and local agencies are tallied separately. So how many firefighters, engines and helicopters are working?

At the state level, CalFire (CDF) reports 20,000 plus firefighters operating aboard 1420 engines and in 420 hand crews. The state also has 300 bulldozers, over 400 water tankers and nearly 100 helicopters operating on the frontlines.

National Interagency Fire Command, which coordinates the activities of federal firefighting resources from its headquarters in Boise, Idaho, reports another 10,000 federal firefighters working in California, with 400 plus engines, 50 helicopters and National Guard C-130’s from Sacramento, Charlotte, Cheyenne, and Colorado Springs.

There are so many fast-moving fires, that they often travel through local fire districts in just a day – sometimes hours. Factor in crews and apparatus from city and county departments that protect areas along the coast, including Carmel, Monterey, San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara City and County, and dozens of volunteer agencies, and the total number of working firefighters easily totals 50,000.

It’s been some time since the nation has stood at Level 5 Firefighting Preparedness, and firefighters and resources from as far away as Delaware and Puerto Rico have arrived to serve on the frontlines.

One firefighter safety watchdog group claims that the Federal firefighting system is understaffed. At the start of the season, only 2/3s of the US Forest Service's 275 engines were staffed.

"The federal fire system is imploding in California. They are crossing their fingers and just hoping they get through the season without a disaster," said Casey Judd, who represents government firefighters from five agencies through the Federal Wildland Fire Service Association.

In an interview with the Monterey County Herald, Judd notes that the US Forest Service is 500 firefighters short of its 5,000-member allotment for the Central California region. He argues that Federal firefighters are working alongside CalFire and Municipal colleagues for less money, so many seasonal firefighting personnel stay home and work at odd jobs.

With Level 5 staffing already in place – compared to last season’s 2 or 3 at the height of the San Diego fires – both federal and state government will need to consider additional outsourcing, and red-card training of out-of-state municipal crews. Such needs become extremely critical when you combine current conditions with the strong potential for wildfires in populated areas of southern California, which have not yet begun to burn.

So here's an invitation to firefighters nationwide to train for their red card and vacation in sunny California.

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Resources:

(1) CalFire
(2) Interagency Fire Command (InciWeb)
(3) US Forest Service

(4) Monterery County Herald (Multi-Media)

(5) News-Journal Papers (Wilmington, DE)

(6) Fire Maps

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Wilmington's NEW BLS Service

EMS_StFran_4
Originally uploaded by LouAngeli2008

At Midnight on July 1st, BLS and Patient Transport for the City of Wilmington (DE) became the respoinsibility of a newly formed ambulance system operated by St. Francis Hospital. The new agency will increase the number of EMS teams on the street from 2 to 4, 24 hours, 7 days a week.

Under the old system, when the lone 2 EMS units were on a call -- which was a very frequent occurenece --, the Wilmington Fire Department would man two ambulances, requiring that engine and ladder companies run short staffed. The department is currently operating with 170 firefighters, 20 short of its allotment.

02-JULY-08

400 Fires Burn in Northern California

Heat Wave and Lightning Strikes Feed Fires

Los Angeles (June 22, 2008) -- Firefighters worked to contain some 400 wildfires burning across Northern California on Sunday as the state baked under a fourth day of an early summer heat wave that has strained the power grid and left residents wilted.

One structure was destroyed and 150 homes were evacuated near Fairfield, 40 miles (64 km) southwest of Sacramento, in the path of the worst of the fires, which blackened more than 3,500 acres (1,416 hectares) in wine-producing Napa County.

"The weather is, of course, very hot and dry here, and this fire quickly rolled up into some extremely steep terrain and became inaccessible. "

We're having trouble establishing control lines," said Battalion Chief David Shew of the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection. He said the blaze was about 10 percent contained as of Sunday morning and that crews were hoping for a break as triple-digit temperatures began to ease and cooler off-shore breezes returned.

Most of the hundreds of fires scattered across Northern California were started by dry lightning strikes during thunder storms that moved across the state on Friday.

"Those evil clouds are wreaking havoc across the state," Mike Jarvis, deputy director of the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection, said of the dry lightning. "There's no moisture in them and when they hit it's not like they put themselves out."

In a 24-hour period beginning on Friday, some some 5,000 to 6,000 dry lightning strikes were recorded across the region, leaving crews scrambling to keep up with spot fires.

"We do have significant numbers of fires that are completely unstaffed as of yet," Shew said. "We don't have sufficient resources to send to every one of them, so they'll just have to pick them up as we can."

California has cooked for four days under a severe heat wave that has drive temperatures above 100 degrees Fahrenheit (37.8 degrees Celsius) across much of the state.Beaches were swamped with Californians seeking relief, and in Southern California power was lost to some communities as the power grid was strained by residents turning up air conditioners and fans to beat the heat.

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Resources: CalFire

Chantry Flat Fire

Chantry Flat Fire
Originally uploaded by *Flora

(Sierra Madre, CA) A Los Angeles County Fire Department FireHawk helicopter drops water on a brush fire near Arcadia, California. In Northern California near Santa Cruz the Trabing Fire is now reported to 90 percent contained as of Saturday morning. The blaze, which broke out just before 2 p.m. Friday has burned about 630 acres in a 1,000-acre perimeter.

Mississippi River Flood:

Mississippi River Flood: Clarksville Missouri 6.17.2008
Originally uploaded by Notley

Clarksville, Missouri (June 17, 2008) -- Like they did in 1993, the residents of Clarksville have turned out to assist one another in building sandbag walls to hold back the rising Mississippi. But weather forecasters are predicting the C-ville will encounter a more significant event than in 1993.

As flood waters move closer to St. Louis and join with the Missouri and Illinois Rivers, they enter the gauntlet which is St. Louis' Levee system. The levees bottleneck the river, backing waters into low lying communities north of the city.

Photos courtesy: Notley Hawkins

Remembering The Great Flood of 1993

Current flooding is a replay of 1993's disaster.

by: Lou Angeli
photos by: Andrea Booher (FEMA)

St. Louis, MO (June 17, 2008) -- The swollen Mississippi River is expected to crest late this week in St. Louis and nearby communities. But record or near-record river levels are already being reached along the Mississippi north of the St. Louis area, where residents fill sandbags and seek higher ground as slowly rising water brings new worries to already soaked communities.

Just 15 years ago, there was a similar scenario, one that became known as the Great Flood of 1993. During that disaster the Mississippi, Missouri and Illinois Rivers reached biblical flood proportions, with researchers referring to it as the 500 year flood.

Has 500 years already passed?

St. Louis, MO -- (June, 1993) After 2 months of unending Spring rains, Old Man River finally rebels. Runoff from storms in Minnesota, Iowa and Illinois forces the Mississippi well over its banks. The same river that left behind fertile valleys after hundreds of previous floods, reclaims the land with savage fury. Along the Mississippi River in St. Louis, the waters are so high, that they nearly reach the base of the Gateway arch, 5 stories above flood stage.

In the aftermath, experts called it the most devastating flood in US history. During the Great Flood of 93, fifty lives were lost and property damage exceeded $20 billion, making it the second most costly US disaster ever.

Weather forecasters blamed it on a stalled Bermuda high pressure system, but locals simply referred to it as bad luck. With floodwaters rising at a rate of 1 foot per day, The US Army Corps of Engineers were able to provide adequate warning to communities along each affected river. Some families were forced to evacuate -- others chose to relocate -- but many decided to remain and stand their ground.

In early July 1993, as flood waters crept into low-lying areas, many residents began a race against the clock. But holding back steadily rising rivers wouldn't be an easy task. To be successful, communities needed help.

During these early stages of the flood, hundreds of sandbagging operations were taking place throughout the St. Louis metro area. It was a scene that was repeated in communities throughout Missouri and Southern Illinois. In river towns all along the flood plain, citizens prepared for the worst

Drafted

On July 6th, I was given a long-term assignment with a simple mission statement -- videotape the flood. But it wasn't long before word leaked that I had some disaster experience and I was drafted to serve as an aide to Captain Vince Wright (STLFD Squad-2). It was my job to serve as a liaison between emergency services and FEMA as well as the Salvation Army.

I knew very little about the area, which extended from Hannibal to the North, to Cape Girardeau in the South, roughly the distance between Los Angeles and San Francisco. FEMA provided me with a fire department Suburban, a few old ESSO maps and a cellular phone. I was told to report back on conditions in the field.

Everywhere I drove -- everywhere -- folks were sandbagging. Children, the elderly tourists -- anyone who could fill a bag and toss it onto the levee. On the first day it took me 14 hours to make my rounds. On the second day I was able to shave-off an hour. By the third day, I was assigned to tour the area in a helicopter.

From the air, the Great Flood lived up to its name. It was still early July, but it was clear to emergency personnel that within weeks the Mississippi, Missouri and Illinois rivers would overflow their banks in a very big way.

In Spanish Lake, a small village just North of St. Louis, over 1500 volunteers joined local residents to build a 12-foot flood wall – 2500 ft. in length. Their mission: to save a nursing home, a church and half dozen residences.

Chopper Pilot Rich Barkledge and I decide to make this our first stop, and he eases the unmarked Jet Ranger onto a landing zone prepared by local firefighters. Soon after we land, the leaders of this renegade band of baggers stop us cold dead.

"We need sand! We need bags! We need food and cool drinks!” And one final plea, “We desperately need porta-potties!"

Fire service and law enforcement were serving in their best capacity. Keeping the homes secure and the sandbaggers safe. If OSHA or NIOSH were here, though, they'd close this site down in a nanosecond. I made some quick calculations, and noted that the 1000 plus sandbaggers were working in polluted waters on a haphazard dam some 10 feet below the water line.

If a "blowout" were to take place, it would take at least 100 emergency personnel to make rescues and safely evacuate the area. I glanced over at the standby emergency team -- a 4-man engine company, 2-person medic unit, 2 deputy sheriffs, and a retired Salvation Army captain. I shook my head, and never allowed that thought to enter my mind again.

Wall of Wonder

During the next few weeks, Spanish Lake was to be our "first" and "last" stop each and every day. Like so many, we were convinced that the folks here could hold back the river.

Building the sandbag wall was a monumental task: Hundreds of truckloads of sand were used to fill nearly 2-million sandbags. Medics gave out hundreds of injections to protect volunteers against hepatitis. Relief agencies served thousands of meals. It was a Wall of Wonder, with its own designer, a retired bridge engineer.

The town became the gathering place for international media. In fact, there were more satellite uplink trucks than dump trucks -- more camera crews than firefighters or police officers -- and enough still photographers that a local camera shop was selling film from the back of a rented van.

There were volunteers from throughout the world, many devoting their time while vacationing in the Gateway city. One couple in particular, newlyweds from Bradford, England, had arrived directly from Lambert-St. Louis International. Another family from Auckland, New Zealand claimed a certain section of the wall for the folks down under. Everyone who worked at Spanish Lake signed their own bag, and that section remains as a memorial to all of the volunteers, who devoted their time and energy to holding back the 500 year Flood.

Three generations of the Scott family, who lived in these homes, kept a constant vigil around the clock. I know, they'd page me at 3 AM to ask for shovels, sand and bags. During the course of 4 weeks, I signed for tens of thousands of dollars in emergency resources, and this was just one location out of dozens.

Losing The Battle

But the floodwaters just kept rising and rising, and the wall couldn't be built strong enough or fast enough. Leaks developed, and the super saturated ground prevented volunteers from working safely. Finally, during the last week of July, the town's Fire Chief gave the order to abandon the effort

To say this was an emotional moment for the volunteers and families is an understatement. After 30 long days, time and hope had run out. No one questioned the decision, though. Instead, volunteers retreated to safer, higher ground, popped open beverages donated by the local brewery giant, and celebrated a victory of the human spirit.

A few days later the river won and floodwaters overran the wall, inundating the church and all of the homes. Over 6,000 people had come here to assist the Scott family, and each year, on the anniversary of the flood, the Scotts send out thousands of cards of thanks.

Onto Other Problems

This scene was repeated every day for weeks. Grafton, West Alton, Potage des Sioux, St. Charles, Valmeyer – they were all inundated by flood waters, some 20 feet deep.On August 3rd, Captain Vince Wright, Pilot Rich Barkladge, and I were surveying areas downstream of St. Louis from the helicopter, which had become home.

I hear the pilot's voice through the headset, “Guys, we can make it in 15 minutes.”

As news choppers circled, we dropped down to 100 ft. for a closer look. I stepped onto the skid, and shot that evening's lead national story. The levee had been breeched, and the 24 square mile island was filling so fast, that many residents were trapped.

Along with a helo from USCG Station St. Louis, we began picking up trapped residents and flying them to the relative safety of the West levee, where the Army had set up an evacuation ferry. It didn't take long for floodwaters to fill farmlands and the town itself. Kaskaskia was gone in less than two hours.

We landed on Main Street to check businesses for any strays. No one in sight. But as we were about to lift-off, we noticed a lone woman with three Holsteins in tow. As was our routine, Vince tossed the coin. And as usual, I lost and got to stay behind.

As the crew lifted the farmwoman to safety, I led the cows to the safest (and highest) place I could find -- the Catholic Church. As we walked down the aisle together, all four mooing, I tied the bovine churchgoers to the main altar. The Coast Guard led them out a week later. They survived the flood, but I doubt that they survived the butcher.

Later that day, while returning to the St. Louis Fire Department helipad, we watched as another levee had been breeched, and was quickly overrunning a nicely kept farm. As the owner sat on a nearby hill, he watched as the river swept away his home, furnishings, farm buildings and heavy equipment. I can never forget that scene, nor the lethal blow that Mother Nature dealt that man and tens of thousands like him.

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Resources:

(1) FEMA

(2) The Salvation Army

(3) KSDK-TV

Posted in memory of my partners during the Summer of 1993, Captain Vincent Wright and Pilot Rich Barkledge

Arsonists Busy In Delaware

Wilmington, DE (June 4, 2008) -- First State firefighters have been extremely busy for the past 18 months. In fact, Delaware departments have been called out to more arson fires than ever, nearly twice the national average according to the FBI.

The more serious arson jobs end up as “working fires,” complete with heavy black smoke, red hot flames and fire police closing down highways. It’s the type of response that requires more personnel and more equipment, making the fireground a very busy place. Word on the web is that there’s plenty of action in tiny Delaware, so much so that fire buffs from as far away as New England have been setting up weekend photo junkets to the First State.

In a recent News-Journal article, reporter Terri Sanginiti writes, "In Delaware, an arson is committed just about every day, statistics show. The state has averaged 364 arson investigations in each of the past five years, including 328 in 2007." Kudos to the state's fire investigators who have one of the nation's highest conviction rates on a a crime that is the most difficult to prove.

A Serious Danger to Firefighters

More serious arson blazes aren’t your run of the mill room and contents job. Fire-setters use flammable liquids and tri-nasty chemicals to create a blaze so intense, that it destroys as much property as possible, while at the same time wiping away any evidence of foul play. Inside the structure the fire cooks until it reveals itself to the outside world.

By the time someone spots the flames and dials 9-1-1, the arson fire has had a head start and may have reached the fully developed stage. The room of origin heats quickly as fingers of flame roll across the ceiling, reach out into adjoining rooms and upward into the attic. As companies begin to arrive and go to work, frontline crews face a firefighter’s greatest fear – Flashover.

That’s what happened yesterday (06/03/08) to firefighters responding to a house fire in Hamilton Park, an area which borders Wilmington’s Southbridge section and is protected by Holloway Terrace Fire Company. A county police officer on routine patrol reported a house fire with “smoke conditions,” and dispatchers relayed her conservative size-up to first responding Engine 205.

As the operator brought the E-One to a stop at New Castle Avenue to take a wrap around the hydrant, dark, billowing smoke was venting through every crack and crevice in the 70 year old balloon construction home some 100 yards down the street. The first-in officer radioed heavy smoke and fire, a report that prompted other responding apparatus operators to forget about $5 per gallon diesel prices, push the pedal to the floor and lay on the air horn at intersections.

With the fire now venting through the roof, two hoseteams made entry. But the incredible build up of BTU’s ignored their 175 gallon per minute streams and spit the flames back into their faces. Rather than risk his crews on a vacant home, the Incident Commander issued the order to evacuate the structure, and the operation smoothly transitioned to an exterior attack.

And that’s the problem with arson fires. When companies arrive, there’s no way to distinguish between a torch job and a “legitimate” house fire, the kind with trapped occupants. Regardless of how the fire initiated, during those first minutes firefighters must risk their lives to conduct a thorough search. The burning building is cleared only when the incident commander is convinced that there is no life safety issue.

Some experts suggest that the number of arson fires will increase in coming years because of the current economic situation and pending recession. As homeowners face foreclosures and SUV owners are stuck with the $600 per month payments on their monster H2 Hummers, a crazy few will attempt to collect on insurance policies by taking match to their property.

Freakin’ arsonists – why can’t they be more considerate and go that extra step? Hang a sign on the mailbox which says, “Arson Fire – No Need To Search.” In my mind, because of the danger to firefighting crews, every arson charge should come with a bonus "attempted murder" indictment.


And for the fire buffs who’ve been making the rounds, Delaware’s volunteer firefighters are some of the best trained in the country, so photograph their good side.
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Universal Studio Fire Station #51

Studio Lot Fire Station
Originally uploaded by NRJ IMAGERY

Station 51 is located on the lot of Universal Studios. Interiors for the 70's series "Emergency" were filmed on the Universal lot, but station exteriors were filmed at Station 127 in Wilmington near Los Angeles Harbor.

Fire at Universal Studios

Fire at Universal Studios 01
Originally uploaded by Yenvious

Video from the Universal Studios fire shows that the LA County Fire Department had their hands full. Firefighters did an outstanding job of keeping the fire from spreading to adjacent studios and structures.

Hot Fun in the Summertime!

SOPs and Protocol for Warm Weather Firefighter Rehab

By Lou Angeli

Nation's Bravest.com

Phoenix, AZ (May 22, 2008) -- This past week, I visited with several fire-rescue agencies in the desert southwest, from the Grand Canyon to Tucson. Beautiful country, but oh so HOT. On Monday and Tuesday, temperatures in Phoenix topped out at 110 degrees (F), and it appears that the city may already be on its way to challenging last year's record of 100 consecutive days of plus 100 degree temperatures.

"But it's a dry heat Chief." Sure -- just mention that to the crew of Phoenix Station 7, who attended a working structure fire on Monday at high Noon. They'll tell you that 110 degrees, regardless of a humidity reading of 10%, is HOT! So how does the nation's most prestigious fire department protect its members in such unbearable heat? An agressive firefighter rehab protocol, which includes replacing first-alarm companies once they're out.

Simply stated Firefighter Rehab is designed to ensure that the physical and mental well being of members operating at the scene of an emergency (or a training exercise) don't deteriorate to the point where it affects the safety of any other members. After all, "stressed out" is not a good thing when you're working at America's most dangerous job.

Back in 1993, the US Coast Guard conducted a study dealing with the effects of interior firefighting on the human body. The results of the study are posted in the Coast Guard's Firefighting Initiative, but in short, researchers noted that our body core temperature (even for short exposures), often reaches 104 degrees (F) during the firefight.

(1) Primary Mission

The primary mission for fire command is to identify, examine and evaluate the physical and mental status of fire-rescue personnel who have been working during the emergency incident or a training exercise. Following a proper survey (see below), it should be determined what additional treatment, if any, may be required.

According to FEMA, "Any activity/incident that is large in size, long in duration, and/or labor intensive will rapidly deplete the energy and strength of personnel and there merits consideration for rehabilitation."

2. Launching The Rehab Operation

A specially designated Rehab Area, (or Group) remote from the fire or emergency incident, should be established at the discretion of the Incident Commander in consult with the senior Safety Officer. If the Incident Commander determines that Rehab is necessary, qualified EMPT-Ps or EMTs (assigned to the first alarm response) should be assigned to manage the Rehab Sector under the command of a fire or EMS officer or supervisor. Note the emphasis of the "first alarm response."

EMS personnel must be on scene and available to provide treatment to fireground personnel at a moment's notice. If EMS does not respond as part of the initial turnout, consideration should be given to the fact that OSHA will certainly ask why they weren't... especially if anyone is injured.

Because they work side by side with the front line troops, company officers play an important role in Rehab. In fact, the federal government suggests that the safety of the fireground rests here, at the supervisor level. If a company member shows signs of fatigue or illness, the company officer will likely be the first to recognize the problem. Anticipate Rehab needs early in the incident. During large-scale operations, Incident Command should consider augmenting existing resources by requesting additional EMS personnel or even another engine company or squad, to assist in the operation of the Rehab Sector.

(3) Locating the Rehab Sector

It is crucial for Command to establish The Rehab Sector away from any environmental hazards, or by-products of the fire, such as smoke, gases or fumes. During hot months, the ideal location might include a shady, cool area distant from the incident. In winter, a warm, dry area is preferred.

Regardless of the season, the area should be readily accessible to EMS-Rescue personnel and their equipment, so they may restock the sector with supplies, or in the event that emergency transport is required.

Rehab sites can also be established in the lobbies of nearby buildings, parking facilities, or even inside municipal buses. Misting/cooling systems, heating systems, SCBA refilling and canteen service should be stationed in or around this area as well. During large-scale incidents, like multi-alarm fires, Command should consider establishing Multiple Rehab Areas as the situation warrants.

(4) Coordination and Staffing

Command of the Rehab Area should be assigned to a chief or company level officer, who is designated as the Rehab Officer under most Incident Command structures. The incident itself will determine just how many people you'll need to do the job, however a minimum of two trained EMS personnel should initially be assigned to monitor and assist firefighters in the Rehab Sector. Utilize volunteer canteen or auxiliary members to assist EMS personnel in making "working" members as comfortable as possible.

(5) Evaluation of Fire-Rescue Personnel

It is important for command and company level officers to continually monitor personnel for telltale signs of exhaustion, stress, and or physical injury. Individual members are encouraged to report to the Rehab Sector at any time that he or she feels the need to do so. Symptoms may include weakness, dizziness, chest pain, muscle cramps, nausea, altered mental status, difficulty breathing, and others.Regardless of physical well being, all fireground personnel should report to the Rehab Sector immediately following:Strenuous Activity - Forcible Entry, Advancing Hoselines, Ventilation, etc

• The use and depletion of two SCBA bottles


• Thirty (30) minutes of operation within a hazardous/dangerous environment


• Failure of SCBA

(6) Examination of Arriving Personnel

Arriving personnel should be examined by qualified EMS, who should check and evaluate vital signs, and make proper disposition, i.e. return to duty, continued rehabilitation, or transport to medical facility for treatment. The workup should include:.

• Scoring for Glasgow coma trauma scale.


• Checking Pupils


• Checking Vital Signs, such as blood pressure, pulse, breathing rate


• Checking lung sounds


• Administration of a 2-lead EKG, when chest pain or irregular heartbeat is presented


• Skin condition and color Body core temperature

Heart rate should be measured as early as possible in the rest period. If the firefighter's heart rate exceeds 110 beats per minute, it is recommended that an oral temperature be taken. If body core temperature exceeds 100.6F, the firefighter should not be permitted to wear protective equipment or re-enter the active work environment, until temperature has been reduced and heart rate decreased. It is recommended that re-examination occur at ten minute intervals. Using standing orders or existing protocol, Rehab Team Members should record examination results on medical evaluation forms as indicated by the local jurisdiction.

(7) Treatment During Rehab

Upon completing the physical examination, the following steps should be taken to minimize further risk to fire-rescue personnel: Turnout gear, helmets, masks and hoods should be removed immediately. Prior to ingesting anything orally, fluid or solid, it is recommended that the firefighter clean his/her hands and face with water and a cleaning agent, as provided by Rehab Sector personnel.

• The firefighter should rehydrate


• Oral rehydration and nutrition is recommended in the form of 1-2 quarts of fluids
  
• Body core temperature should be reduced by cooling the body


• Cool body temperatures gradually using misting systems, fans, etc


• Individuals should be offered Oxygen therapy via nasal canulla or O2 mask.


• Standing rest before reporting for further assignment

The firefighter will only report to manpower staging when, presentation is deemed normal by the attending EMS personnel.Note: According to FEMA, Water is the best rehydration agent, however some agencies suggest a rehydration solution of 50 / 50 mixture of water and a commercially prepared activity beverage administered at about 40F. Avoid cooling the body using ice packs or hosestreams. Cooling should be gradual, limiting further shock to the body.

In the event that presentation appears abnormal, the Firefighter should immediately receive additional treatment, especially if conditions persist following fifteen minutes of rest. As is appropriate in most locales, those complaining of chest pain, difficulty breathing and altered mental status must receive immediate ALS treatment and transport to definitive health care. Follow your local jurisdiction's ALS protocols in this event.

(8) Accountability

Members reporting to the Rehab Sector / Group should enter and exit the Area as a team. Their company designation, number of personnel, and the times of entry to and exit from the Rehab Area should be documented. This can be done either by the Rehab Officer or his / her designee on a Company Check-In / Out Sheet. Keep crews together, and don't allow overanxious members to freelance the event.

(9) The Vital Importance Of Firefighter Rehab

Very few firefighters who wear the badge are athletes. But, from the moment the alarm is sounded, and that first surge of adrenaline reaches the heart, we're asking our bodies to work triple overtime. Couple that with 55 pounds of business suit, 1200 degree temperatures and another 50 pounds of hand tools and equipment, and the importance of effective rehabilitation at the fire scene becomes crystal clear.
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Originally published in Fire Chief Magazine -- written by Lou Angeli

Fire Station 5 - Wilmington, Delaware

Fire Station 5
Originally uploaded by LouAngeli2008

Wilmington (DE) Fire Department's Engine Company-5 serves the northwestern portions of the city from this landmark firehouse. The station was originally built for the Water Witch Volunteer Fire Co. #1 in 1893, and the department has been using it ever since. Station 5 will soon be relocating its engine and staff, but the building will remain, protected as part of the Historic Register.

A great Firefighter – An even greater Friend

Chief John P. Mulhern Passes
by Lou Angeli

Wilmington, DE (April 18, 2008) – It is with sadness that I share information dealing with the death of a great firefighter and friend, John P. Mulhern, Jr. Sean was 66 when he passed away on April 15th at the Christiana Hospital (Wilmington, DE), where he was surrounded by his family and friends.

If ever a man was born to serve others in this world, it was Sean Mulhern. During his early years he leaned toward a military career, attending Valley Forge Military Academy as a cadet, then as a member of the Delaware National Guard.

He entered the fire service some 40 years ago during the height of Wilmington’s infamous King riots – a city ablaze for months. It was the late 60’s and Sean saw a great deal of action as an Auxiliary firefighter with the city's Civil Defense Reserve Unit. With Wilmington still a hotbed of action, it was no surprise when Sean entered career service with the WFD as a firefighter assigned to Rescue-1.

As a Wilmington firefighter, Sean served in every division, including fire suppression, administration and as an arson investigator. He earned his bars both as a Lieutenant and Captain as soon as he was able to test for those ranks, and not much later was promoted to Battalion Chief under the command of Chief Jerome Donahue.

One evening, as Sean and I shared war stories on the bench in front of the old Fire Station 2 (12th and French Streets), he told me what I considered to be a pretty tall tale.

“Louie,’ pulling the unlit cigar away from his lips, ‘someday I’ll be chief of this department.”

I laughed and reminded him that his last name needed to be Malloy to achieve such an honor. At the time, 3 generations of the Malloy family were on the job, serving from Chief down to firefighter. But nevertheless, he assured me that the 5-bugle shield would someday be attached to his jacket.

Sean Mulhern was appointed Chief of Department in 1985 at a time when city fire departments throughout the East Coast were losing jobs to layoffs, cutbacks and station closings. But Mulhern managed to keep the Wilmington Fire Department at full force, maintaining staffing of four firefighters on every apparatus. “The Chief” was aggressive when it came to the actual firefight, and during his tenure, companies were trained to fight fires more efficiently and in safer fashion. The safety of his crews was at the top of Mulhern's "to do" list at every incident.

His work as a tactician and administrator were recognized nationally, and the Wilmington Fire Department soon became a template for similar sized agencies nationwide. The key to his success, as Sean always noted, was that he surrounded himself with a talented fireline and administrative staff.

In 1993, Sean fell victim to Wilmington’s political machine, and upon the election of Mayor James Sills, the city’s greatest firefighter was asked to step down. He may have stepped down, but his career continued to move upward serving as head of the State’s Emergency Management Agency (DEMA) and in 2001 as Vice President of Security for MBNA Bank's worldwide facilities.

There is a time each day that I think about the brave men and women that we in the firefighting family have lost. The 343, the Charleston Nine, the Worcester Six as well as great individuals like Jim Page, Tommy Brennan and so many others. From this moment on, when I recall those great firefighters, John P. Mulhern, Jr. will be the first to come to mind. Sean Mulhern was my friend, colleague and mentor, and now that he’s gone, that relationship has even greater meaning to me.

Sean is survived by the woman he adored, his wife Coleen Pope-Mulhern and their children Felicia M. Pope and Victoria L. Pope.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests contributions to the education fund for daughters, Felicia M. and Victoria L. Pope. Checks made payable to Felicia M. Pope/Victoria L. Pope; WSFS Bank, P.O. Box 1889, Wilmington, DE, 19899-9713, ATTENTION: Pope Education Fund on envelope.

Mass of Christian Burial will be offered at 11 am on Tuesday April 22, 2008 at St. Elizabeth's Roman Catholic Church, 809 S. Broom St., Wilmington, DE 19805. Entombment will follow Mass in Gracelawn Memorial Park. Family and friends may call from 5-8 pm on Monday April 21 at CHANDLER FUNERAL HOME, 2506 Concord Pike, Wilmington.

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The Little Fireboat That Could

If they’d just open the drawbridges…

by: Lou Angeli

Wilmington, DE (April 15, 2008) – On Monday of this week, Wilmington Fireboat Captain Joe Kempista listened closely to one of the dozen or so Fire-EMS dispatches that blare through his portable hand-talki each day. “Structure Fire – Kahunaville – along the Riverfront.” The tone of the dispatcher's voice was noticeably different -- there was urgency. That combined with the fact that he added a RIT Team as part of the first alarm assignment was an indication to the veteran Wilmington fire officer that there was work.

Kempista and two crew members immediately stepped aboard “Firefighter,” Wilmington's mighty 65ft Class-A fireboat, and prepared to push off from its berth alongside the Winchester Bridge in the Christina River. (see map) In just a few moments Fireboat-7 (the vessel’s radio designation) was underway, responding as quickly as land-based companies.

Normally Joe Kempista would point Fireboat 7's bow toward the Northeast, making way downriver along the Christina toward the Port of Wilmington, or even out into the Delaware River shipping channels. But on Monday, after clearing the berth, the Captain brought “Firefighter” 180 degrees about and began an upriver heading, toward the city’s highly touted, revitalized Riverfront.

Well, let’s say he attempted to travel upriver.

Unlike the trip into the Delaware River, when Fireboat-7 is required to respond upriver to the high-value riverfront district, the boat must pass under three drawbridges, one of which is unstaffed. The city’s Marine Emergency Services Facility stands in the shadow of the first span, the Winchester Bridge.

Even before he got underway, Captain Kempista signaled the Winchester bridge operator that he would need to pass through quickly. This wasn’t another training exercise – Kempista, the bridge operator and everyone on Wilmington’s Southside could see the heavy smoke lifting into the sky over the Christina River.

The bridge operator went about the routine of lowering the warning gates and stopping traffic. Next he pressed buttons to lift the recently renovated steel span – but nothing happened. He tried again to no avail. The old 3rd Street Bridge wasn’t budging.

Now, firefighters don’t curse while on duty, but I can only imagine the expletives flying about on the bridge of “Firefighter”, especially when the first-due Battalion Chief reported heavy fire conditions on the river side of the former warehouse-sized nightclub. Quartered just a half mile away from the fire structure, Kempista (and every other firefighter responding) knew that the job would have been easy work for “Firefighter” and its array of master stream nozzles and 6500 gpm pumping capacity.

But the damned bridge wouldn’t lift. And so the fire burned.

In the meantime, land-based companies began to arrive, stretching handlines to attack the blaze. Much of the vast outside wooden deck structures and adjoining facades were well involved, and it didn't take along for flames to make their way through broken windows and open doors into the main structure. The firefight was made even more difficult to control as flames snaked through voids between interior walls and the building’s corrugated steel exterior.

It was the type of blaze that demands a constant watch over the troops. The concern is building collapse and the conditions at Kahunaville were ripe for the prospect. Staying ahead of the game, Command quickly called for additional alarms, bringing in mutual-aid companies from surrounding New Castle County towns as well as off-duty shift members.

An hour later, the bulk of the blaze was knocked down. An hour later, Fireboat-7 finally arrived, docking just 50 feet from where the blaze had started. Joe Kempista, the most experienced marine firefighter in Delaware, stood on the aft deck simply shaking his head.

As the City of Wilmington continues rapid expansion along the Christina Riverfront, fire protection should remain a priority concern. Newly-constructed offices, residences,and commercial structures are clustered together with century old warehouses in an area that was once a major US port. Many of the buildings, which are being renovated, are vacant warehouses and factories, built at the turn of the 20th century. Old structures, when combined with a welder’s torch make for a lousy combination, and the WFD has experienced dozens of such fires.

Is there someone at fault? Certainly not the Fire Department nor the City of Wilmington, since the bridges are operated and maintained by the State of Delaware. And it would be bad gesture to point the finger of blame at the state. Two of the bridges, including the Winchester, recently underwent multimillion dollar renovations.

If you ask Joe Kempista, I’d bet he’d chalk the event up to Murphy’s Law. In the fire-rescue business, we often cite Mr. Murphy and his law when a job goes south and we don't feel the need to explain it. The heartbreak about the Kahunaville incident is that those of us who were on scene didn’t have the opportunity to watch Fireboat-7 in action.

But as long as there are old buildings and welder’s torches, we may still have that opportunity.

More importantly, this incident teaches us a lesson about firefighting marine vessels. Wilmington Fire Department’s “Firefighter” remains a vital fire-rescue resource for the entire region, as it is the ONLY Class A firefighting vessel operating along the busy Delaware River, from the Port of Philadelphia to the Atlantic Ocean.

PS: Next time, the bridge will open! Mr. Murphy

Photos of the incident:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/disasterphotog/sets/72157604538584814/

Rescue Me Renewed for 5th Season

Rescue Me Back In Production

New York City -- Back in the Fall, FX announced that it had picked up Denis Leary's FDNY dramedy Rescue Me for a fifth season. But there was some question as to whether Leary's Apostle Productions could deliver the series in time due to the Writers' Strike, which played havoc on the entire TV industry.

But Leary and his writing partners had already delivered many of the scripts, so when the strike finally did settle, Rescue Me slid right into production. This time out FX ordered up nearly twice the normal 13 episode package, contracting with Sony Entertainment for a total of 22 one-hour shows.

The series is currently shooting in New York City and locations around Northern New Jersey. Sony is keeping a tight lid on 5th season content, but the biggest question being asked by fans is -- "Will Leary's "Tommy Gavin" continue as a member of FDNY?". Hint: In the closing scene of last season's finale entitled "Yaz", Division Chief Feinberg, played by veteran actor Jerry Adler, quietly submits Gavin's termination papers.

Of all the firefighting dramas ever produced, Rescue Me is most like the real thing. Leary treats the firehouse for what it is -- a family! Kooky at times, emotionally distraught at others, but always there for one another when they step off the rig to do battle with the beast. Leary and his writing partner Peter Tolan treat the firefighting family with borderline irreverance, much like FX's The Badge or HBO's The Wire. Rescue Me has humor, conflict and an identifiable antagonist (Gavin himself), all of which are essential for making any successful drama.

Team Apostle has discovered the secret formula for firefighting drama. Without knowing it, Leary and his staff have paid firefighters the greatest tribute by reminding us that life and family are precious and can never be replaced. My hope is that others in our ranks will recognize this tip and take its message to heart.

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Will Volunteer Department Pack Up and Leave Town?

Ocean City (MD) Volunteers Vote To Secede From Fire Department

OCEAN CITY, MD (February 28, 2008) – In a move that will likely jeopardize the safety of citizens in one of the East Coast’s largest beach communities, the Ocean City (MD) Vounteer Fire Company is packing up its apparatus, equipment and membership and moving out of town. That leaves Fire, Rescue and EMS protection in the hands of the few career personnel that currently operate in the city.

What prompted the OCMD vollies to bolt? Well, in short, the paid firefighters and the volunteer president wanted to combine command of the volunteer and career ranks under a single fire chief, much like it is done in other combination fire departments nationwide.

In a report published in the Salisbury Times, during a Feb.12 Ocean City Town Council meeting with OCVFD leadership, volunteer Chief Christopher Larmore expressed a desire to be named head of both the paid and volunteer firefighters, with the goal of unifying fire service under a single operational and administrative leader.

The first vote was a bust with council offering a split decision. Volunteers were enraged. Within hours of the council meeting, the OC volunteers hastily assembled their own quorum. By 7pm that evening, OC’s Bravest voted to secede from the Ocean City Fire Department and move their resources 4 miles inland to West Ocean City.

Then on February 19th, Larmore’s appointment was considered again and council gave him complete authority and responsibility for all fire and emergency medical services for the Town of Ocean City.

But OCVFD’s decision to secede is still on the books, and the community assumes that someday soon, the volunteers will be gone.

With the possibility of OC vollies abandoning the fort, the city will need to replace 60 fire officers, 124 firefighters, 88 drivers, 2 administrative employees, with paid personnel. A quick trip to the National Volunteer Fire Council’s website and its “vollie-saver” calculator shows that Ocean City would need to come up with $7 - $10 million to replace the volunteer members.

In a report published on the DelmarvaNow.com website, city fathers would also need to allocate an additional $6 million to replace the apparatus owned by the volunteers, which would be removed from the city. New purchases would include eight engines, three aerial trucks, and six utility vehicles. The volunteers also own the town’s 5 firehouses, so the city’s firefighters would likely operate from parking lots and mobile homes – much like they did in New Orleans after Katrina.

In total OC administrators would need to quickly come up with a whopping $13 million to convert the town’s fire-rescue and EMS to a paid department, just months before the 2008 season begins.

Volunteer president James Jester claims that his volunteers will remain on standby in Ocean City until the town can provide its own group of first responders.

Jester told DelmarvaNow.com, “No way, no how are we going to close buildings and pull apparatus until the city has what they need."

But some are concerned that volunteers -- who respond from their homes when the alarm is sounded -- offer no guarantee that they’ll respond at all. The town insists that the existing force of 75 career firefighters is fully capable of protecting the massive beach community.

Fulltime residents of Ocean City are concerned. They say that the most severe fires take place now, during the Winter months, when most seasonal structures and stack shacks are buttoned up tight.

“I can’t understand it,” says John Milton, ‘a retired DC firefighter who now calls OC home. “We all take an oath the first day we walk into the firehouse – volunteers included – and that is to protect property and save lives.”

The pressure tactic which is being used in Ocean City by its volunteers has been attempted before – and it has always failed. The most noteworthy occurred 10 years ago, when the Wayne Township Fire Department in Indianapolis, threatened to pull it volunteer staff and apparatus from stations if Township fathers backed a plan to convert to a combination department under the command of one of the most respected fire chiefs in Indiana.

Township residents didn’t take the threat lightly. When it came time for the citizen public to choose between its volunteers or a newly-formed combo department, the greater percentage voted for the guarantee of 24x7 service provided by the new agency.

In what many consider to be a power play gone awry, the OCVFD has opened itself to public criticism and peer debate. But more importantly, if some Ocean City resident loses their life, home or business in coming weeks because of lack of volunteer response, the volunteer agency will quickly become the target of dozens of attorneys, who will initiate civil action against the department, its officers and members.

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It's Chapter 11 for American LaFrance

ALF Owners Call For A Time-Out

by: Lou Angeli

Wilmington, DE (January 30, 2008) -- Here in Wilmington, DE it’s the biggest news regarding fire apparatus since Chief Jim Wilmore ran out of working engines. What’s the big news bulletin? On Monday of this week, the venerable American LaFrance Corporation filed for bankruptcy in US District Court in Wilmington.

American LaFrance filed here under "Chapter 11" of the bankruptcy code, which typically is used by businesses that need to buy time to reorganize their finances and secure new capital. In many cases, Chapter 11 filers continue to operate. According to Bloomberg Financial some of the largest creditors listed in the filing include American LaFrance's owner, New York-based investment firm Patriarch Partners, and trucking giant Freightliner, which sold the business to Patriarch about two years ago. Various employees are owed $1.4 million for accrued vacation. It’s not clear but some say that ALF could be as much as $250 million in the hole.

This is a HUGE story for the fire service nationwide, because now 2 of the Big-3 fire apparatus manufacturers are in trouble. Ocala (FL) based E-One showed a substantial drop in earnings last quarter and some say that sale of the firm is inevitable. The remaining large capacity apparatus builder, Pierce Manufacturing, seems to be doing well, albeit the firm’s profit margin remains mighty slim.

“American LaFrance (ALF) has claimed that a bungled implementation of IBM software contributed to the demise of its business,” says IT reporter Kelly Fiveash in The Register. ALF said that when it switched to its new ERP software last June, "serious deficiencies" threw its operations into chaos.

"These problems have resulted in slowed production, a large unfulfilled backlog, and a lack of sufficient funds to continue operating." as reported by ALF to The Register.

With ALF under Chapter 11 protection, and unable to make good on current deliveries, it is unlikely that fire department administrators will consider the firm during the bidding process. With that in mind, ALF's frontline sales team, the independent distributors, are moving quickly to represent other firms. In a few days time, German-owned Rosenbauer has already signed many of ALF's key distributors, including Delaware-based DPC Emergency Equipment.

View photos of American LaFrance Fire Apparatus

My bet is that Italian-based Iveco-Magirus will make a run for American LaFrance. They already own much of the international market and, like Rosenbauer and other European manufacturers, Magirus and its partners are eager to expand into the states.

By the way, the fire apparatus situation here in Wilmington has been resolved in big fashion. The WFD, under the command of former Chief Jim Ford -- and the current boss Chief Willie Patrick -- boasts the second-fastest response time in the country (according to a Boston Globe study) And the department recently took delivery of eight new frontline Pierce machines.

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featured photo: An American LaFrance Rescue-Pumper operated by the Belvedere (DE) Fire Company. (photo by Lou Angeli)

resources:
(1) Bloomberg.com
(2) The Register
(3) TruckingInfo.com